Homes burned, threatened by massive fire in Texas
Homes burned, threatened by massive fire in Texas
08 April 2011
published by edition.cnn.com
USA — A fast-moving fire has charred more than 71,786 acres in three Texas counties, and it’s expected to grow, the state’s forest service said Friday.
The blaze, which started in Stonewall County, moved quickly into neighboring Knox and King counties, destroying two homes and threatening at least a dozen more, said April Saginor, a Texas Forest Service worker.
According to Saginor, on Thursday, the flames traveled 12 miles in less than four hours, jumping the Brazos River and leaving only charred debris in its path.
Air tankers have dropped at least 58,000 gallons of retardant on the massive fire, and officials said they believe it will take several more days before they get it under control.
“Last night, it looked like it was snowing because there was white ash falling from the sky,” Knox County attorney Megan Suarez said.
Despite heavy smoke and zero containment of the fire in Knox County, Suarez said there have been no evacuations so far.
Local officials are handling an unconfirmed number of evacuations in other counties, Saginor said.
